FUTURE TENSES

FUTURE SIMPLE BE GOING TO PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I TO EXPRESS INTENTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE

to talk about decisions taken at the moment of speaking( on-the-spot decisions)

UNPREMEDITATED DECISION

It’s cold in here. I will turn on the heating.Leave the washing up.

I’ll do it later.

to talk about future planned actions / intentions

PREMEDITATED INTENTION

Now that she is rich, she is going to travel round the world.

I told you that I’m going to wash up.

II TO MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT

THE FUTURE

to express beliefs, hopes, assumptions, doubts, fears, threats, offers, orders, comments about the future (+ expect, hope,

for predictions made on present evidence

It’s going to rain.It looks like the plane

is going to take off.

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believe, probably, I’m afraid, I’m sure…)

She will probably win.That’ll be the postman.She shall do it whether

he likes it or not.I hope they will like their

birthday present.

to talk about things we are not yet sure or we haven’t decided to do yet

Maybe we will buy a car.

to talk about things we are sure about or we have already decided to do in the near future

They’re going to offer the job to Ann.(it has been decided)

TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE

this tense places more emphasis on the INTENTION of the speaker

I’m going to meet the principal tomorrow.

We’re going to sail.

to talk about the future when

PERSONAL ARRANGEMENTS have been made (planned arrangements / plans)

I’m meeting the principal tomorrow.

We’re sailing round the world next year.

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to talk about actions which we cannot control and will inevitably happen / things supposed to be true

The baby will be born after Christmas.She’ll be 18 next year.

in conditional clauses type I

I won’t get a good photo unless you keep still.

with time clauses beginning with as soon as and when

I’ll do it as soon as I can.

CONCLUSION: WAYS OF EXPRESSING FUTURE TIME

GOING TO for plans, intentions, etc.I’m going to study a lot this year.

WILL for predictions, promises, etc.I think there will be space holidays by 2050.

PRESENT CONTINUOUS for personal arrangementsWe’re having a party next week.

PRESENT SIMPLE for dates, times / officially planned future actions (when an official or a committee makes the arrangements )

We leave Vienna on April 27th.What time does your train leave tomorrow?

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It doesn’t leave until 11:30.I leave Paris tomorrow.(my boss says so)Our next meeting is on Monday.

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